Severing apparatus



Feb. 8, 1966 J. A. DAVIS ETAL 3,

SEVERING APPARATUS 4 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1961 INVENTOR5. JAMESA. DAV\$ HAROLD E. HAQERTY CMfi Feb. 8, 1966 J. A. DAVIS ETAL 3,

SEVERING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 15, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. JAMESA. DA\I\S HAROLD E. HAC ERTY Feb. 8, 1966 J. A. DAVIS ETAL 3,

SEVERING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 15, 1961 o :1 LINVENTORS. L. JAMES A. DAVIS- HAROLD E. HAGER'TY Feb. 8, 1966 J. A.DAVIS ETAL SEVERING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 15, 1961 5.8:$55 mofiisu mwm um INVENTORS. JAMES A. DAV/5 HAROLD E HAGERTY UnitedStates Patent Ofitice 3,233,484 Patented F eh. 8, 1966 3,233,484SEVERING APPARATUS James A. Davis and Harold E. Hagerty, Wiliiamsport,Pa,

assignors to Armour and Company, Chicago, Iii, a corporatlon of DelawareFiled Aug. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 131,542 8 Claims. (Ci. 85-67) Thisinvention relates generally to apparatus for severing portions fromelongated strips of material, and it particularly relates to apparatusfor severing desired portions from each of a series of elongated strips.For the purpose of simplicity, the invention herein described willrelate to the rough cutting of shoe soles from leather strips.

In rough cutting shoe soles from leather pieces or strips, it has beenthe practice to manually feed an individual strip through; a cuttingmachine and also to manually control each individual cut. Clearly, therewould be a great saving in time, labor and expense if it were possibleto consecutively and without interruption rough cut soles from leatherstrips, without the necessity of manually aligning and cutting solesfrom each strip. Further, a more uniform product would result if themanual operations were eliminated. Further, on each leather strip, boththe leading portion and the trailing portion are ordinarily scrappieces, since the trailing and leading edges are ordinar-ily not thedesired shape for a sole. Therefore, apparatus not only shouldconsecutively cut soles from an individual strip, but the apparatusshould be adapted to process the scrap portions of each strip, so that aseries of strips may be consecutively processed.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provideapparatus for consecutively severing portions from an elongated strip ofmaterial in uninterrupted oper-ation.

it is also a principal object of this invention to provide apparatus forconsecutively processing a series of elongated strips in uninterruptedoperation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus forsevering desired portions from each of a series of elongated strips.

It is still another object of this invention to provide apparatus forsevering scrap portions, as well as desired portions, from a series ofelongated strips, in a continuous uninterrupted operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved leathersole cutting ap-apratus.

Further purposes and objects of the present invention will appear as thespecification proceeds.

, The accompanying drawings illustrate one emlbodiment of the presentinvention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially broken, side elevation view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, detail view of mechanism used on the initial cutof an individual strip;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of a leather strip and the apparatusused for starting and stopping the transfer mechanism and the severingmechanism; and,

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of means shown in FIG. 1 which isthe mechanism for positioning the trailing portion of each of a seriesof strips for the final cut and for ejecting the trailing portion ofeach showing the In general, the apparatus includes a frame 10, transfermeans, generally 11, means, generally 12, for positioning the leadingedge of each strip, means, generally 13, for severing portions from eachstrip means, generally 14, for stopping transfer means 11 whileactuating severing means 13, and means, generally 15, for positioningthe trailing portion of each strip for the final cut.

The conveyor or transfer mechanism 11 includes a motor 16 and a gearunit 17 which are secured to frame it Sprocket 19 is fixed to gear unitshaft 20 and meshes with chain 21, which in turn meshes with sprocket 22on shaft 23. Sprocket 22 turns contact wheel 24 which moves belt 25 soas to carry each strip towards means 12. Belt 25 is also positionedaround contact wheel as. Wheels 24 and 26 are rotatably mounted to frame10. Sprocket 27 on shaft 2t? meshes with chain 28, which in turn mesheswith sprocket 29 and rotates sprocket 3%, both sprockets 2'9 and 3dbeing fixed to shaft 31. Sprocket 3t) meshes with chain 32, which inturn meshes with sprocket 33 on shaft 34.

Cutting or severing means 13 includes motor or drive means 35, which issecured to frame 16. Drive means 35 rotates drive shaft 37 throughsprocket 38, chain 39 and sprocket 40. Gear 41 on shaft 37 meshes withgear 42 which in turn meshes with gear 43, gears 42 and 43 both beingrotatably secured to frame 10. Tie rods 44 and 45 are eccentrically androtatably attached to gears 42 and 43, respectively, in such a mannerthat knife 45 is down While lmife 47 is raised. At their opposite ends,tie rods 44 and 45 are pivotly secured to knife supports 48 and 4?.Knife supports 48 and 49 are p-ivo-tly fastened to frame 1 Knives 4 6and 47 are adapted to contact cutting block 56 during each cuttingoperation. As shown in FIG. 5, the cut sole is adapted to drop fromcutting block 50. Secured to shaft 37 is vane 51 which act-uates vaneswitch 52.

Means 12 for positioning the leading portion 55 of a strip 56 includes aset of substantially horizontal rollers 57 and 58, having shafts 34 and66} in substantially vertical alignment. As shown more clearly in FIG.2, the lower set of rollers 57 includes roller 57a and 57b, and theupper set of rollers 58 includes rollers 58a, 58b, 58c and 58:1. Theupper set of rollers 58 is rotatably secured on shaft 6t), shaft 60being rotatable around roller support 64. Support 64 pivot-1y secured toframe it at 65. Support =64 is adapted to actuate switch 66 and a secondswitch 66a, which are secured to frame 19.

Means 15 for ejecting the trailing portion 67 of a strip 56 includes anair cylinder '70 pivotly mounted on support 71 of frame 149. Thecylinder is supplied with air through tubing 72. Piston shaft 73 ofcylinder "id is pivotly secured to linkage 74, which is also pivoted tothe ejector shaft '75. Linkage 74 is pivotly mounted on frame 10 atpivot point '76. Spring member 77 moves shaft 73 away from cylinder 79,when there is no air pressure in the cylinder. Ann '75 is provided witha roller 78 at the front portion and is adapted to move on top of astrip 56. It is also adapted to push trailing portion 67 from cuttingbase or block 50.

Means 14 for stopping and starting the transfer mechanism 11 and forstopping and starting the severing mechanism 13 includes switches 81 and8%, as shown more clearly in FIG. 4. Switches 80 and 81 are adjustablymounted relative to support 82 which is secured to frame it]. Shaft 83of adjusting wheel 84 is threadably secured in frame 82, on frame 18 andcauses transverse motion of both switches 83 and 81. The switches 80 and81 are individually adjusted relative to each other by means of screwmembers 85 and 86 which cause shafts 87 and 38 to slide Within frame 82.Screws 85 and 86 are threadably secured in adjusting shaft support 89,which is fixed to shaft 97 of hand wheel 84. Hinged members actuateswitches 79 upon contact with appro' priate portions of the strip 5s.

Shown in FIG. 3 is a mechanism used on the first cut and includes shaft9%), which is slideable within sleeve 91, sleeve 91 being secured toframe 18. Arm 93 is secured to shaft 9% and is adapted to contact roller94, which actuates switch 95, and a second switch 95a. Solenoid 96 isattached to frame 163 and maintains shaft 96 in the down position duringthe remainder of the cutting operations, until the end portion 67 ofstrip 56 passes through rollers 57 and 58.

In operation, a strip 56 is fed to the conveyor belt and passes betweenpinch rolls 57 and 535, causing the upper rollers 58 to pivot aroundpivot point 65. This movement causes switch 65 to be actuated, startinga timer 6651 which stops conveyor motor 16 after a given length of time.Also, a second switch 660 is actuated, cutting off the air supply tocylinder 79. This allows spring 77 to move shaft 73 away from cylinder7%, retracting arm 75 and roller 78 to a position on the upper side of astrip 56.

After the above mentioned timer reaches the end of its cycle, the drivemeans 16 for the conveyor is stopped and the drive motor for thesevering operation is started, causing lmife or biadc to move down wardfor the first cut Hit? on a strip 55. On its downward movement, support48 contacts shaft 99, as shown in' FIG. 3, causing switch 95 and asecond switch 95a to be actuated. Switch S 5 deactivates the circuit ofthe timer mentioned above. Switch 95 is maintained in the closedposition since the second mentioned switch 95 is actuated, and energizessolenoid 96, which maintains shaft 96 in the down position. Knife 46performs the first cut 16d upon contacting cutting base 50. Motor 3-5continues to operate until the knife 46 is in the raised position. Motor35 is stopped when. the segmented section 92 of vane 51 pases throughthe slotted portion 52a of vane switch 52. This interrupts a magneticflux which deenergizes vane switch 52, stopping motor 35 and startingmotor 1-5.

Motor 16 moves belt 25 and thereby strip 56. When :urved portion liillof strip 56 contacts hinged member 79 of limit switch 81, the actuatedcircuit stops motor lid and starts motor 35. Motor 35 moves blade 47down for the second cut 102. After the cut is made, sole 1% drops fromcutting block 50 and switch 81 is deenergized. However motor 35continues to operate because of the previously described vane switch 52.After switch 5a is deenerg led, motor 35 stops and motor it? startsagain moving the strip 56 forward until limit switch 31 is actuated, bycurved portion the, stopping :he conveyor drive means 16 and startingmotor 35 again for the third cut.

The alternate starting and stopping of the strip 56 For each cuttingoperation is continued until the trailing )r end portion 67 passesthrough rollers 57 and 5d, :ausing the upper rollers 58 to pivotdownward. When his happens, switch 66 and the second switch 660 aredeactivated. Then, the air cylinder is activated by iir pressure passingthrough a solenoid operated valve itid, causing the arm 75 to moveforward, pushing the strip 56 forward until a limit switch, 8% or $1, isactuated causing one of the knife blades 46 or 47 to nove downward for afinal cut as 105. Also, when )ne of the switches 30 or 81 is energized,the air :ylinder is deenergized and the arm is retracted mce again.After the cut has ben made and the knife ias returned to the parkedposition, the arm 75 moves Also switch and the.

4 58 for processing. The operation can continue for an unlimited time,as long as strips are continuously moved to the apparatus. 7

In the foregoing specification, although there has been a detaileddescription of the apparatus for the purpose of illustrating a specificembodiment of the invention, it is understood that these details ofconstruction may be varied widely by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions of each of a series ofelongated strips, comprising a frame, a unidirectional forwardly movingmeans comprising a cooperating conveyor and pressure rollers forforwardly moving each of a series of said strips, said means being incontact with said strips, a separate means, piston and spring operated,for positioning the trailing portion of each of a series of said stripsfor the final cut and for ejecting the trailing portion of each of aseries of said strips after the final cut, severing means comprising aplurality of curved independently operated knives for performing firstand second cuts on said series of strips, said moving means, severingmeans, and positioning and ejector means being secured to said frame,and means for intermittently starting and stopping said moving means,said severing means and said positioning and ejector means withoutmanual assist.

2. An apparatus for severing portions from each of a series of elongatedstrips, comprising a frame, forwardly moving conveyor and roller means,secured to said frame, said rolier means adapted for positioning theleading portion of each of said strips for an initial cut, severingmeans comprising a plurality of curved blades for cutting portions ofeach of a series. of said strips, means for stopping said moving meanswhile actuating said severing means and for starting said. moving meanswhile stopping, said severing. means, and means separate from the movingmeans for positioning the trailing portion of each of said strips forthe final cut.

3. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions from elongated strips,comprising a frame, means for moving said strips, severing meanscomprising a plurality of knives for severing said adjacent portionsfrom said strips, means for stopping said moving means while actuatingsaid severing means for a cutting operation and for starting said movingmeans while stopping said severing means,

means separate from said moving means for positioning tionof each stripfor a final cut and ejecting the trailing portion of each strip afterthefinal cut, means for intermittently starting and stopping said movingmeans, said severing means and said positioning and ejector meanswithout manual assist.

' 5. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions of strips from a seriesof said strips, comprising a frame, unidirectional forwardly movingmeans attached to said frame, a

cuttingbase secured to said frame and aligned with said' moving means,severing meansconiprising a plurality of curved knives independentlyoperated and adapted to consecutively sever said portions upon contactwith said cutting base, and means separate from said moving means forpositioning the trailing portion of each of said strips on said cuttingbase for the final cut and for ejecting the trailing portion from saidcutting base after the final cut.

6. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions from each of a series ofelongated strips, comprising a frame,

moving means secured to said frame comprising a conveyor andsubstantially horizontal rollers having. their shafts in substantialvertical alignment, at least one of said shafts being pivotally mountedrelative to said frame, switch members for stopping said moving means,severing means secured to said frame and adapted with a plurality ofblades to consecutively sever portions of said strips and means forpositioning the trailing portion of said strip for a final cuttingoperation and for ejecting the trailing portion of said strip from saidframe.

7. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions from each of a series ofelongated strips, comprising a frame, a frame secured multi-bladedsevering means, strip moving means secured to said frame comprising aconveyor and substantially horizontal rollers having their shaftssubstantially in vertical alignment, at least one of said shafts beingpivotally mounted relative to said frame, switch members for stoppingsaid conveyor means while actuating said severing means for cutting saidstrips, and means separate from said moving means for positioning thetrailing portion of each strip and for ejecting the trailing portion ofeach strip after the final cut.

8. An apparatus for severing adjacent portions of each of a series ofelongated strips, including a frame, moving means, including a conveyorand pressure rollers, said pressure rollers being aligned with saidconveyor and secured to said frame for positioning the leading portionof each of a series of said strips for the initial cut, severing meansincluding a plurality of knife blades alternately actuated forconsecutively severing portions of each of said strips, said severingmeans being secured to said frame, frame secured spring and pistonoperated positioning and ejector means for positioning the trailingportion of each of a series of said strips for the final cut after eachstrip passes through said pressure rollers and for ejecting the trailingportion of each strip after the final cut, means for stopping saidmoving means while actuating said severing means and means for stoppingsaid severing means while actuating said positioning and ejector means,said positioning and ejector means being actuated by the passing of saidtrailing edge from between said pressure rollers after a series of cutson said strip and before the final cut on said strip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,435,979 11/1922Reed 83-261 1,499,537 7/1924 Kurkowski 83-210 1,893,460 1/1933 Tilton83-165 1,899,805 2/1933 Howe 83-213 2,061,647 11/1936 Berkowitz 83-2132,067,509 1/1937 Smitmans 83-288 2,120,313 6/1938 Smitmans 83-2882,635,875 4/1953 Werner 271-54 2,747,450 5/1956 Tabet 82-2.5 2,865,44812/ 1958 Mead et al 83-261 3,011,375 12/1961 Carl-Heinz Miller 83-367WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

CARL W. TOMLIN, HUNTER C. BOURNE, JR., AN-

DREW R. JUHASZ, Examiners.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR SEVERING ADJACENT PORTIONS OF EACH OF A SERIES OFELONGATED STRIPS, COMPRISING A FRAME, A UNIDIRECTIONAL FORWARDLY MOVINGMEANS COMPRISING A COOPERATING CONVEYOR AND PRESSURE ROLLERS FORFORWARDLY MOVING EACH OF A SERIES OF SAID STRIPS, SAID MEANS BEING INCONTACT WITH SAID STRIPS, A SEPARATE MEANS, PISTON AND SPRING OPERATED,FOR POSITIONING THE TRAILING PORTION OF EACH OF A SERIES OF SAID STRIPSFOR THE FINAL CUT AND FOR EJECTING THE TRAILING PORTION OF EACH OF ASERIES OF SAID STRIPS AFTER THE FINAL CUT, SEVERING MEANS COMPRISING APLURALITY OF CURVED INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED KNIVES FOR PERFORMING FIRSTAND SECOND CUTS ON SAID SERIES OF STRIPS, SAID MOVING MEANS, SEVERINGMEANS, AND POSITIONING AND EJECTOR MEANS BEING SECURED TO SAID FRAME,AND MEANS FOR INTERMITTENTLY STARTING AND STOPPING SAID MOVING MEANS,SAID SEVERING MEANS AND SAID POSITIONING AND EJECTOR MEANS WITHOUTMANUAL ASSIST.